Cleanup begins at former car wash on Parrish Street

CANANDAIGUA  A former city car wash  and longtime eyesore  is on its way to being cleaned up.

Two gasoline tanks were removed Jan. 15 from the commercial lot at 20 Parrish St., along with contaminated soil surrounding the tanks.

The removal went smoothly, said City Code Enforcement Officer Dave LeClair.

It was well planned and went well  like a well-oiled machine, he said.

LeClair said he issued the necessary permits to Joe Kuras, owner of Canandaigua-based Kuras Construction Corp., to remove the tanks, a process that involved the state Department of Environmental Conservation. LeClair said he has also issued Kuras a permit to demolish the building on the property and expects the building to come down within weeks.

According to the DEC, Kuras, who is the potential owner property, suspected the possibility of underground storage tanks on the property. He used a small mini-excavator to find two 500-gallon steel gasoline tanks that were reportedly used in the 1970s to fill pizza delivery vehicles when a previous business was there.

Under the direction of the DEC, Kuras removed both tanks and about 100 cubic yards of contaminated soil surrounding the tanks  excavating an area about 30 feet by 20 feet, down to a depth of about 6 to 7 feet below ground surface.

Based on site inspection, the spill area appears to be limited to the property, said Linda Vera, DEC regional citizen participation specialist.

The soil was placed in roll-off containers, stockpiled onsite and covered with poly sheeting, pending future disposal at a local landfill, Vera said, adding that soil samples were collected and a closure report will be submitted to the DEC by the environmental consultant, Rochester-based LaBella Associates.

As far as plans for the property, Lisa Kuras, Joe's wife, declined to comment at this time.

City Councilmember Karen White  who represents Ward 3, which includes the property  said recent activity there is good news.

I am really happy to see that people are interested in developing that piece of property, said White.

Referring to its proximity to the intersection of Parrish and South Main streets, she added, Its a great corner."